If you didn’t stay in to watch Patrick Kielty make his Late Late debut on Friday night, what were you doing?
The Down man was met with high praise after his first show.
He’s clearly won over the audience, and what an audience he had.
He drew in a record-breaking amount of viewers for The Late Late Show,
Friday night’s eagerly anticipated Late Late Show had an average audience of 830,000. A peak audience of 934,000 tuned in to watch Patrick take to the couch for the first time.
RTÉ Player has had 158,000 streams of Friday night’s show, making it the strongest-ever Late Late Show opening on RTÉ Player.
And, of course, on social media, videos posted on Late Late Show accounts have amassed 7.6 million views since September 1st.
Nothing to be sniffed at!
Patrick’s guests on opening night included Tommy Tiernan, former President Mary McAleese, footballer James McClean, and The 2 Johnnies. There was also live music from Chasing Abbey for his first show.
Sharing his appreciation for his family and viewers’ support alike, the 52-year-old captioned his post: “Overwhelmed by all your messages before, during and after my first Late Late Show. It was an absolute privilege to step onto that stage and it really felt that so many of you were carrying me.
“I can’t thank you enough. Just before the show I was given this by the person who is always in my corner – win lose or draw. It almost put me over the edge but I know it helped get me through it. I love you [Cat Deeley],” he concluded.
Patrick started-off the show strong with a hilarious, yet moving opening monologue. During which he poked fun at RTÉ and the payment scandal, while sharing how important the Late Late Show hosting gig was to him.
